Finally decided to get around to making an Armageddon for my COR, and though I don't yet have Wildfire it's coming soon enough. So I figured, why not level RNG too? I know how ranged jobs are these days, I also know it's more likely that people will want me on COR for VW. But whatever, if I have an empy weapon why not have both of the jobs that can use it, right?

I have COR-equippable ranged/WF stuff, the usual subs (/WAR /NIN /SAM), a lot of multi-job "light DD" sets (my other jobs being MNK THF NIN PUP COR DNC) and a working knowledge of ranged jobs in general. But I've never been a RNG main and I really don't know a ton about RNG-specific gear.

So, a few quick questions:

1) Empy+2: Obviously going to go after this stuff, but are there any +2 pieces that really aren't useful? On accessories - use neck and toss the rest in storage?

2) Relic+2: Full relic set sitting in the porter moogle, which pieces are worth upgrading to +2? Socks?

3) Bow: With the assumption that (a) I'll have Armageddon and use that most of the time, and (b) I'm not interested in making a relic/empy/magian bow for my 7th job, what's a decent not too hard to obtain bow for those times I need to use Archery (procs or whatever). I have a Siege Bow tossed in storage, is that still serviceable?

4) VW stuff: Anything in particular that's really good for RNG other than Fajin boots? I have Toci's, but I don't see much use for it on RNG with the other options (and given that it doesn't have AGI for Wildfire).

If you are going to be Gun RNG, then gearing for Wildfire and Last Stand will be priorities. For Wildfire it will be similar to what you'd use on COR, just subbing S. Kote, Empy+2 boots For Last Stand: Nguul Ocelomah Headpiece Light Gorget Altdorf/Wilhelm Sylvan Caban +2 Alruna's Stormsoul x 2 Terrebellum Light Belt Ambushers Sylvan boots +2

There's probably some more tweaked out setups from VW and Nyzul gear but my luck with both those events is non-existent.

As for a Bow, you can go for a Vision Bow from Kur or buy the Aife's Bow from AH. Not as good as Gandiva/STR Magian Bows but acceptable.

My RNG has been out of service for a long time until recently (and still isn't my main priority), so I've been working on an updated gear selection as well. I haven't done the math lately to estimate the break-even points for AGI v STR v r.atk for Last Stand. Of course it will vary, but does anyone have a reasonable rule of thumb?

Beyond that - and now that slugwinder is out of the equation - I've been looking mostly at what I need to 5-hit each of my weapons with different subjobs. /SAM makes things trivial, and other subjobs aren't too hard. I believe a 4-hit gun setup is doable as well, but I don't personally have all of the gear necessary.

The best specific answers I have so far:

1) The empy +2 all seems useful, especially if you need store TP from the hands and legs. Obviously some pieces will be swapped in and out, and I'm not really up-to-date on what gets left out if you have an optimal setup. I currently use the empy back for the store TP as well.

2) Relic +2 hands actually look like they might be usable. I'm not sure how relevant the relic +2 feet are for marksmanship, but they don't suck.

3) I've historically been a crossbow RNG. I recently upgraded my Armageddon to 85 as well. I've also kept my archery up to date, mostly, but skill is lagging a little behind at the moment. My gun does outdamage my crossbow (Moros), but with acid and adaman bolts the crossbow (and Last Stand) does pretty respectable damage by comparison, and the ammo is a **** of a lot cheaper. So I tend to use that when Wildfire isn't the best option. I also carry a repeating crossbow in case I want to fire off a lot of bloody or sleep bolts in a hurry. I carry a Vision Bow, which you can get easily enough while farming Isgebind pops for your 90 upgrade. I agree with Dart that this or an Aife's are both reasonable options.

4) Athos's Tabard is an option for Wildfire. I'm not sure if anything beats it or not.

5) Still all decent. I've been using Oneiros Cest for the store TP and r.atk instead of scouts. It seems to me that a lot of the belts and backpieces are roughly sidegrades unless you have a specific need for one stat over another.

6) I still TP in faith/hope torques, except when I need Houyi's Gorget for store TP (I'm working on other options for the store TP build). Loki's is a store TP piece, otherwise outclassed by Athos's (if you have it). Seiryu's is a wildfire piece as Dart mentioned.

7) Snapshot, Rapid shot. Recycle makes bullet use less painful, and you really don't have to give up anything groundbreaking.

1) Empy+2: Obviously going to go after this stuff, but are there any +2 pieces that really aren't useful? On accessories - use neck and toss the rest in storage?

All are useful. At worst, they are the best transitory pieces or second best pieces for many situations

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2) Relic+2: Full relic set sitting in the porter moogle, which pieces are worth upgrading to +2? Socks?

Probably beret if you can augment them. Hands and legs are par with Seiryu's Kote and that Mirador's trousers in Last Stand set

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3) Bow: With the assumption that (a) I'll have Armageddon and use that most of the time, and (b) I'm not interested in making a relic/empy/magian bow for my 7th job, what's a decent not too hard to obtain bow for those times I need to use Archery (procs or whatever). I have a Siege Bow tossed in storage, is that still serviceable?

Vision Bow. Kur is an easy solo for DNC, even at 90 cap and often uncamped. If it's proc only, really, who cares?

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4) VW stuff: Anything in particular that's really good for RNG other than Fajin boots? I have Toci's, but I don't see much use for it on RNG with the other options (and given that it doesn't have AGI for Wildfire).

- Yes - Yes, for gun. Gatta strap +1 is better for JR bow. Aluh's Jambiya is even better - Yes - Racc problem is practically non-existent - The damage gained from Terebellum, if any, is minimal, compared to Sylvan's Chalyms. I stored my Terebellum in storage. Libeccio is still good for Barrage - I don't use Scout's belt or Buccaneer's since racc problem is non-existent almost every time. So I use Crudelis belt.

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6) Still use these any more? - Faith Torque - Loki's - Seiryu's Kote

- Sylvan's Scarf is better - Loki's Kaftan is still head-to-head with Athos's Tabard on JR. Sylvan's Caban +2 is still your full time body as gun wielder. - Yes, Last Stand best hands

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7) Merits: 5/5 Snapshot. What else is the current thinking?

5/5 Rapid Shot Recycle 4/5 or max it in cost of no flashy shot, if you augment your Scout's Beret +2

Just wanted to say thank you for the very helpful and thorough replies - much appreciated!

I'm well on my way to getting my RNG in decent shape. Did 5/5 Snapshot 5/5 Rapid 5/5 Recycle merits (I guess I'll 5/5 Camouflage as well for lack of excitement over reducing Sharp/Unlimited timers). Working on Empy armors now, +2ed the body/hands already and working on the rest. Even got a pair of Fajin Boots and sent the trusty old Trotter's to my mule.